The Natchez Drug Company Tragedy

 

At the Corner of Main and South Union St. in Natchez, Mississippi was where the Natchez Drug Company was. It was originally the Temple Opera House but was purchased by John H. Chambliss and made into the Natchez Drug Company. An accident will bestow the five-story building.

On March 14, 1908 a gas explosion caused the whole building to collapse. That morning workers of the company complained about a gas smell and a plumber, Sam Burns, arrived that afternoon to look for the leak. He had used a candle and searched the basement. The light from the candle would cause a gas explosion.

The shock from the explosion could be felt for several blocks, and buildings shook. Some even thought it was some sort of earthquake. A second and third explosion would follow crushing the adjoining buildings.

There were still people in the building and many would survive, but 9 people would lose their life. Those who lost their lives were Cleaveland Laub (25), Uriah Hoskins, Eliza Kitteringham, John Carkeet, Luella Booth (teenager), Mary “Lizzie” Worthy (12), Carrie O. Murray (22), Inez Netterville (teenager) and Ada White (teenager). 

None of the deaths were easy. Cleaveland a pharmacist for the Drug Company would be found under a mattress likely trying to protect himself from the flames that would eventually kill him. Uriah a carpenter working on the third floor died when he jumped out of the window to escape the fire. He had died from impacting the ground. Eliza and John were both bystanders who had died due to the explosion. John was standing in front of his own building and flying timbers would penetrate his legs later causing him to die in his home.

John Chambliss would feel guilty about the explosion and tried to share condolences with those who lost their loved ones. He would buy a lot in the Natchez Cemetary and pay for 5 of the girl's burials. Luella, Mary, Carrie, Inez, and Ada would be buried together. The tombstones would simply state their last names, but he would commission of a stone angel to watch over the young ladies. 

It's said that the angel moves on its own. That it will turn and watch cars driving by. It's said to be most noticeable at night as headlights shine on it around the bend of the road. On June 23 2020 someone vandalized that statue rocking it back and fourth until it fell off it's pedestal estimating the damage to be $40,000. 

SOURCES:

Atlas Obscura

Historic City of Natchez

The Vintage News June 30, 2022

And Speaking of Which

UNIDENTIFIED: September 24, 1825 Natchez, Mississippi John Doe

On September 23, 1825, a man would arrive in Natchez, Mississippi on foot. He had a fiddle and a small bundle of clothes with him. The next morning the man would be found dead on a bench in the Market house. It was believed that he had died from some unknown disease. 

The man was believed to have been around 35-years-old.

SOURCES:

Find a Grave

Crazy Crimes: Phantom Barber of Pascagoula

 In 1942 WWII was in its 3rd year and towns across America were manufacturing weapons and supplies for it. The little town of Pascagoula, Mississippi was no exception. It is a coastal town and a perfect place to build warships. This had increased the population of the small town and it was thriving. Something strange began to happen in the summer of 1942.

On June 5, 1942, someone had slit the window screen at the Lady of Victories covenant. Two young girls were sleeping but awoke when a man they described as "Sorta short, sorta fat, and wearing a white sweatshirt was in the room. The girls were both missing a lock of hair and that was all he did.

A few days later on Monday the Barber struck again. He had slit open the window and snuck into the room that 6-year-old Carol Peattie. She was sleeping next to her twin brother. He had cut the girl's hair and had left a bare footprint at the scene.

It was believed that the same man had attacked a sleeping couple. He snuck in through a screen he had slit and entered the home. Neither was killed, and his typical trophy wasn't taken. It's also thought that he had also attacked another victim by using chloroform. But it's unsure if either case was connected to the Phantom Barber.

57-year-old Chemist William Dolan was charged with the crime involving the couple. He was not charged with any of the other hair snatching crimes. They believed he was guilty of them though because police claimed a bundle of hair was found behind his home. In the eyes of the people saw him as the Phantom Barber. It's possible that the police wanted to end the case and placed blame on William Dolan to stop the public fear.

SOURCES:
Mental Floss
Southern Living
Fun Factz